RSS
Home
Death and Politics: Obama's work-life dilemma
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
In the eleventh hour of his historic campaign, Barack Obama was faced with the passing of his grandmother. Madelyn Dunham died Monday at the age of 86. She was known as one of the "cornerstones" of his life. A woman who helped shape who he is, and was an icon and image of hope in this historic presidential campaign season.
Two weeks prior to the election, Obama left the campaign trail to visit Dunham in Honolulu. He had said in the past that one of his greatest regrets was not seeing his mother prior to her passing back in 1995. He did not make that mistake this time, despite his current role - running for president. His work-life scenario merged without room for debate.
Think about this. Actually taking a human moment in the midst of making history as the first African-American running for president. But seemingly, there was simply no thought in taking the action. His working and living experience had merged by circumstances beyond his control. Now in the 24 hours prior to election day, even after learning about his grandmother's death, he did what he had promised to do. No campaign stops were canceled, but he shared his grief with the public as he stumped at three different locations.
Obama spoke of his grandmother, sometimes with a tear instead of avoiding the pain involved in his loss. He might have chosen to leave it be, but he grieved in public without shame or excuses. It reminded me of a passage from Elizabeth Harper Neeld's, Tough Transitions: Navigating Your Way Through Difficult Times:
"Tough transitions are not periods of our lives that we are suppose to get over - though it may seem that way while we're in them. They are not experiences we are supposed to put behind us. Rather, tough transitions are times we have lived that will remain part of who we are forever. The very person we are has been changed by these experiences. To block these events would be to black out some of the most significant times of our lives."
In life and in death, on the campaign trail and with his family, Obama's grandmother played a significant role in his life. Coincidentally, just yesterday I wrote about death and the work life merge. Today, oddly enough the scenario played out in the news.
In our 24/7 lives, only death tends to really stop the music in a moment. But as Obama has gracefully demonstrated in working through the grief, it simply means that he's human.
